Teen Dies in Merced Area ATV Crash

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July 01, 2019
Edward Smith

Teen Dies in Merced Area ATV Crash

According to information from California Highway Patrol (CHP), a teenage girl lost her life in a Merced county ATV accident that took place on Saturday, June 22, 2019. Two days later, the girl was identified as a 16-year-old resident of Le Grand and a junior at the local high school. In addition to the fatally injured girl, two more teenagers suffered moderate injuries as a result of the accident. CHP has indicated that authorities are still investigating this tragic accident. I would like to send my condolences to the decedent’s grieving loved ones during this difficult time.

Crash Information

According to officials, a 14-year-old girl had been driving an ATV westbound on Arguello drive in the city of Planada just east of Merced. The girl had just passed Moreno Court when her vehicle slowed down in order to turn left into a private driveway. At the same time, a 17-year-old boy had been driving another ATV at around 25 miles per hour with a third teenager as a passenger.  Allegedly, the second ATV failed to slow down as the other stopped in order to turn, resulting in a rear-end collision. Three teenagers were thrown from their vehicles by the force of the collision.

Response

Emergency medical responders were dispatched to the scene of the accident shortly after the crash occurred. When officers arrived, they discovered that all three teens involved in the collision had been injured. The passenger of the second ATV was determined to have sustained a serious head injury and was transported by medical ambulance to the Valley Children’s Hospital in Madera County. Tragically, she was not able to recover from her injuries and was later declared deceased at the hospital.

Investigation

So far, officials have not reported which factors may have been involved in this accident. However, CHP did report that drugs and/or alcohol are not being considered as possible causes. As the investigation continues, possible collision causes include common factors such as defective auto parts such as brakes or accelerators, hazardous pavement issues, and more.

Contacting An Attorney

After fatal accidents, families are often left devastated. The emotional impact of a tragic event can cause people to feel overwhelmed, and many find themselves having difficulty completing normal daily tasks. While taking time to recover and cope with grief is important, it should not keep you from contacting a lawyer in order to find out whether or not you are owed recompense for the terrible losses you have suffered. It is important to note that in cases where a government entity may be responsible for the accident because of a pavement defect or other roadway hazard, claims need to be filed in a shorter period of time than usual. Typically, families must file their claim within six months of the accident date.

If you’d like more information about how to find an experienced Merced wrongful death lawyer, you can watch this helpful video:

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Merced Wrongful Death Lawyer

I’m Ed Smith, a Merced wrongful death lawyer. If your family was affected by a deadly vehicle accident, please call me so that I can give you free, friendly advice regarding your legal options. I can be reached at the following numbers, (209) 227-1931 and (800) 404-5400.

I’ve proudly worked with Merced families for over 37 years. See how my clients have been able to recover payments for their losses by taking a look at my settlements and verdicts. You can also find reviews written by the people I’ve helped at the following websites:

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